Volkswagen Group

A Stigma to Some, Haute Couture to others. That's the nature of the station wagon, which for many Americans dredges up images of '60s-era family road trips in overcrowded and less-than-cool, wood-paneled land-barges, while Europeans see only high style and versatility. Too bad for the U.S.'s sedan-fixated majority, because Audi's new A4 Avant is eye-catching, highly functional and a pleasure to drive,

byDavid E. Zoia